Labor leader Bill Shorten denies there's been a change in opposition policy on the South China Sea.
Mr Shorten is in Washington for a global leaders forum where he addressed foreign policy issues including the disputed islands.
He told the gathering on Friday that while he believed in Australia conducting freedom of navigation exercises, he was not convinced it's necessary for Australian warships to be tacked behind an American convoy to test China.
"I don't think it's right for the politicians to say when we should send a ship and where," the opposition leader said.
"I think we're doing a fine job as it is."
Earlier this year, Labor senator Stephen Conroy - who on Thursday night announced his retirement - was accused of inflaming tensions after calling for Australia to launch exercises in the disputed region.
Mr Shorten had said Australia's defence force should be authorised to conduct exercises, but operational details should be left to the military.
On Saturday he denied any policy change.
"There has been no change, full stop," he told reporters following his speech.
He said the best option was a peaceful resolution to de-escalate tensions.
"The last thing our sailors and our Air Force people need is members of parliament saying they should be in spot A or reef B."
Meanwhile, the topic was also raised during discussions between Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and representatives of the Clinton and Trump campaigns in Washington.
Ms Bishop is expecting the South China Sea will also be raised during talks when she heads to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
She reiterated Australia's stance urging restraint from all parties.
"We are not a claimant state. We don't take sides," the minister told reporters in Washington.
China claims virtually all of the South China Sea and inflamed regional tensions when it started building its own islands on disputed reefs, adding airstrips, radar and communications and defence systems, plus troops.
It insists this is sovereign territory and a 12-nautical mile territorial limit applies. The US, Australia and other nations cite international law which says the 12-nautical mile rule doesn't apply for artificial islands.
